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Bidirectional Associations Between Frailty and Preeclampsia: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Chenghang Tian1, Die Hu1, Jing Feng1
1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People's Republic of China.
International Journal of Women'S Health
|June 17, 2026
Summary
This study suggests frailty increases preeclampsia risk, and preeclampsia may worsen frailty. These findings highlight frailty as a potential target for obstetric risk stratification.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Obstetrics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Frailty and preeclampsia (PE) are significant health concerns.
- The genetic relationship between frailty and PE is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential bidirectional genetic relationship between frailty and preeclampsia using Mendelian randomization.
- To assess if genetic predisposition to frailty influences PE risk and vice versa.
Main Methods:
- Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.
- Utilized summary statistics from large GWAS for frailty index (FI) and preeclampsia (PE).
- Employed inverse variance weighted (IVW) method and sensitivity analyses for robustness.
Main Results:
- Genetically predicted frailty was associated with an increased odds of preeclampsia in two independent datasets.
- Preeclampsia showed a significant causal effect on frailty in one dataset.
- Consistent findings across sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the associations.
Conclusions:
- Suggestive genetic evidence supports a bidirectional relationship between frailty and preeclampsia.
- Frailty may be a risk factor for PE, and PE could exacerbate frailty.
- Frailty warrants further investigation as a potential target for obstetric risk stratification.
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